The Lion Sleeps

Don't go downtown!

Near the village....

At the end of my rainbow is a golden oldie!

What is a golden oldie? Like Classic Rock, Golden Oldies are from the 50's and 60's but they are more "do- whoppy" and like swing, than they are rock. Think The Platters, Temptations, Tokens, and Four Tops, not Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Stones, or C.C.R. Whether Motown or not, so many Golden Oldies will live on forever!

Who almost made it? The Left Bank-Pretty Ballerina. Great song that should be mentioned.Green Tamberine- The Lemon Pipers. Under the Boardwalk was right on the edge!Duke of Earle- Gene Chandler- Nothing can touch the Duke of Earl! A favorite from Motown. Fill me up Buttercup- Another that come so close. -Bee Bop, Baby- Ricky Nelson- You're the one for me. Ricky was amazing and he left us too soon... another that I hated to leave off!

Here they are-

15. Sally go Round the Roses- The Janettes and Fanny (Fanny did the best version!) There's nothing sadder in the whole wide world.... This is one of my favorites and has been remade alot.Enjoy the video!

14. Let's Go- Richie Valens- A great oldie by another voice that was taken from us too soon. Richie was a star ahead of his time! Thank God we have the records of him and Buddy Holly that we do!

13. A little bit of Soul- The Little Darlings- This song told the truth about the myth! A little bit of soul will never wash away my tears!

12. My Little Shelia- Buddy Holly - The Immortal square peg that will live on forever, sang about the girl with the blue eyes and the pony tail! How could Buddy Holly be left off?

11. 5 O'clock World- The Vouges- The anthem of happy hour in America! What a great tune that we can all relate to!

10.Baby Love-The Supremes- An unforgettable love song from the unforgettable voice. A heart felt plea from the 60's.

9. You Sexy Thing-Hot Chocolate- I believe in miracles! Do you? I love this one because it was so much fun and had a great beat!

8.Sherry- Franky Valley and the 4 Seasons- Another song about a girl that no one else could replace. Frankie Valley had such an inpact on the music of his day. He almost made it on here twice with "Oh what a night!".

7.Natural Woman- Aretha Franklin- After she got a little RESPECT, she turned into a natural woman! This is my favorite by The Queen. Debra Messing got caught singing this in a funny commercial.

6. I Heard it Through Grapevine- Marvin Gaye (no, the version by The California Raisins did NOT make it). Marvin Gaye put so much passion and emption into his songs that he will never be forgotten.

5. Blue Moon- The Marcels- Any one know what a "Rang a dang dang" is? I don't but this was a big smash and was used in many movies.

4. ABC- The Jackson 5- Its as easy as 123. At least The Jacksons made it look easy! This was one of their many hits, and one of Michael's best.

3. I'll be there- The 4 Tops - Also known as reach out, this was as big a hit as the mighty 4 tops would have. They still can belt out the hits.

2. Aint Too Proud to beg- The Temptaions- And you know it! The Stones did a good version but this was the best and the original! The Temptions ruled the Motown land for a long time!

Since you haven't seen this one yet you have to know what number one is! Awesome melody,perfect vocal harmony, and though no one knows what it means, we all love to sing the "Weh Mo Whay" song!

There's always another hub in here! Maybe 'my 2nd faves' or "Candie V's faves even if I don't agree" Hahaha!

Robwrite 4 years ago from Bay Ridge Brooklyn NY

Good choices, Mike. I like 'em all.

Rob

MikeSyrSutton 4 years ago from An uncharted galaxy Author

Maybe Candie V. LOL We will see.

Thanks Rob!

tillsontitan 4 years ago from New York

Great choices but you'll never satisfy everyone, like where are the Beach Boys or the Duprees? The Lion Sleeps Tonight is a forever classic for sure. I've always thought Duke of Earl was a bit on the silly side, like really, the "Duke" of Earl? Seriously, this was a great hub and I love the way you described the songs. I did Vote up!

The duprees? lol. I know, that's the nature of any list. this one especially because in the 50's and 60's new hits were coming out left and right!

Barbsbitsnpieces 4 years ago from Napoleon, Henry County, Ohio, USA

@MikeSyrSutton...Nice picks!

From Yours Truly,

An original "golden oldie"

MikeSyrSutton 4 years ago from An uncharted galaxy Author

Thanks Barb! I loved this era of music. What are some of your favorite oldie songs?

Barbsbitsnpieces 4 years ago from Napoleon, Henry County, Ohio, USA

@MikeSyrSutton...At the time, it wasn't groups that appealed to me the most, although I appreciated them more as my time went by -- Ha!

I listened to your list here, but I also ventured into individuals such as (yes!) Ricky Nelson ("Travelin' Man") and Sammy Davis ("Candy Man"), but I swooned over my parents' favorites, too -- Perry Como, Frank S., then Andy Williams and Johnny Mathias, the best voice ever.

I still listen to those singers on my "oldie" 33-1/2s records player!!